KILBRONEY Vintage Show 2010 was a huge success with fine weather throughout.
It proves that June is the best month for the event with long days instead of people going home in the dark.
There was a marvellous crowd in attendance who all enjoyed looking at the vintage cars, tractors and threshing mills. The Rostrevor Vintage Club held demonstrations all day.
It was just like old times in the fields when the thresher arrived with all neighbours lending a hand, before it went to the next farm where the same rule applied.
The children were well catered for with lots of fast food stalls and cold drinks. Bell’s Dizzyland Amusements were there and I’m glad to say they were busy.
Strange as it may seem the show has now been going since 1985 when the local club with Newry and Mourne Council decided to mark 100 years of motor cars with a one-off event.
Such was the success that it has been going ever since, attracting entries from all over the British Isles.
The Newry Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade had two ambulances on call and one is the brand new one that was commissioned for £70,000.
The new vehicle has all the latest aids and is fully equipped.
The Lions Club can be very proud of the large donation they made to swell the fund. Andre Morgan and his crew are naturally very pleased with their new purchase.
Too late for last Saturday alas, but by now most people know these notes are written on the Wednesday before publication.
It is just impossible to monitor an event after the deadline.
So by the time you read this the Warrenpoint Town FC World Cup Day will be over.
I hope the weather was kind for the young boys and girls.
I do know that no matter how bad some play, it will be far better than the rubbish served up in the World Cup in South Africa.
The annual cemetery devotions took place last week at both St Peter’s Cemetery and the new municipal cemetery and a large crowd attended.
St Peter’s Silver Band were in fine fettle as they played sacred music and as Canon Kearney said: “Not many parishes can boast a silver band at the cemetery.”
He thanked the band members for once again turning up, Boylan Electronics for the amplifiers and the people who supplied the electricity.
Fr Brendan Kearns and Canon John then read the names of last year’s deceased and it is a sobering thought to hear so many names called out for just one year.
Congratulations to Joyce Haughian who has just returned from the Irish Special Olympics at Limerick with no less than three medals, two gold and one silver.
Joyce took a few minutes off from her job at The Whistledown to pose for a picture. She really is a great girl.
The Warrenpoint Fire Brigade have completed this year’s inspection with flying colours and the inspecting officer was Area Commander Don Mackay who was accompanied by Newry Station Commander Dermot Rooney.
After the inspection Warrenpoint Watch Commander Gerry O’Neill thanked both officers for their fair judgement and invited four ladies to accept cheques raised by the Fire Service walk to Rostrevor which totalled over £2000.
Denise O’Neill, Southern Area Hospice Services, received £500 while staff nurse Catherine Watters and Sister Judy Grant, Daisy Hill Baby Unit, were given £1000.
The last cheque for £500 was presented to Tina Henry for Newry Women’s Aid.
The ladies all thanked the fire-fighters for their efforts and the people who gave support by giving so generously.
After 27 years teaching in Grange Primary School, principal Vincent Trainor has called it a day and retired.
To mark the occasion a Celebratory Mass was offered in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Grange, on Monday evening and hundreds of family and friends alike packed the little church with the school children taking pride of place.
Rev Michael Murray PP welcomed Mr Trainor and the entire family circle.
He said that Mr Trainor had endeared himself in the years at Grange.
At the conclusion, everyone present was invited to the school for refreshments and presentations.